Former Notts marine commando joins disabled motor racing team aiming for one of most prestigious races

A former Notts marine commando has joined a disabled motor racing team after sustaining permanent hearing damage and tinnitus.

Jamie Falvey, 32, from Farnsfield served in the Commandos from 2010 to 2016 and served at Faslane naval base in Scotland, in Afghanistan and was a cold weather warfare specialist for exercises in Norway – he earned the rank of Lance Corporal.

In 2016, he was medically discharged from service but has now signed for Team BRIT, a motor racing team consisting of disabled drivers aiming to be the first ever all-disabled team to race in the Le Mans 24 hour endurance race.

It is considered one of the sport’s top three most prestigious races alongside the Monaco F1 Grand Prix and the IndyCar Indianapolis 500 – only one driver, Graham Hill, has ever won all three.

And Jamie is hoping he gets the chance to be one of Team BRIT’s drivers at the race.

Jamie at his Brands Hatch test with Team BRIT (Picture: David Archer, Kingsize Photography)

He said: “There are some fantastic drivers and personalities at Team BRIT so I hope they see me as a reliable, dedicated team-mate.

“I absolutely want to be part of the team that races in Le Mans.

“I know I am capable of thus but my fate is in my own hands and I have to make it happen!”

Jamie took part in a rookie day with the team at Brands Hatch on Wednesday (October 4) where he was assessed for his driving skills and his ability and passed.

He will now join Team BRIT for the final two races of the Fun Cup championship who have recently competed in the longest race in the world – a 25 hour endurance race at Belgian track Spa-Francorchamps, which also hosts a Formula 1 round.

He said: “I have an extremely competitive nature and absolutely love racing, so being a part of Team BRIT is fantastic.

“The opportunity and potential Team BRIT offers is massive and I’m delighted to be a part of this.”

Jamie now runs a personal training business from his own studio and has previously competed in national and international karting championships since 2006.

He is also testing for the Caterham Roadsport Championship for 2018.

Billy Monger (Picture: JHR Developments)

Billy Monger, a teenage racing driver who had both of his legs amputated after crashing into a broken down car at racing speeds in a Formula 4 race at Donington Park on April 16, got back to the track because of Team BRIT.

He was airlifted to the QMC, which is home to a regional trauma centre, and was kept in an induced coma for days.

But 11 weeks after his accident, he got into a specially adapted racing car with steering wheel mounted controls and posted fast laps around the Brands Hatch circuit to help with his rehabilitation.